All Blacks XV 2023

[Winger]

@Canes4life said in All Blacks XV:

@Winger yeah I agree, Flanders had a big year but I feel like he's going to come into his own in 2024. Guys like Sangster and Delany are in the same boat IMO.

Good to see Love get in despite not playing, we all know the quality that he brings from fullback so hopefully he can get a few minutes at this level before the NPC.

I'd like to see Flanders playing 8 next year. With Delany at 6. Kirifi and Lakai covering 7 ( Lakai also 8 )

With IWL starting with a taller lock. Make our lineout a strength and give our forwards more bulk

[pukunui]

Is Zarn injured?

[Machpants]

Interesting that means Leon doesn't have much to do with the abs until half way through RC

[Crazy Horse]

@pukunui said in All Blacks XV:

Is Zarn injured?

I was wondering about him too.

[ACT Crusader]

@pukunui said in All Blacks XV:

Is Zarn injured?

I haven’t seen his name on any injured lists. In any event I’m not surprised that he didn’t make it.

[SBW1]

@Stargazer Probably could have included a few more Crusaders.

[Stargazer]

@SBW1 Too many injured.

[ACT Crusader]

No Josh Dickson. Is he off overseas?

[Stargazer]

@ACT-Crusader I think he's going to Japan, but it's not officially confirmed, yet.

[ACT Crusader]

@FakatavaABXV lovin the name change

By September will you be FakatavaHB….

[akan004]

Surprised that Dom Gardiner hasn't made the AB XV. Wasn't a fan of his initially but he impressed against Ireland A last year and was looking in good form in SR before he got injured.

[SBW1]

Even Tom Christie. I never really read too much into some of these squad announcements, especially with a final to play and even when a few more games are played, the equation soon changes. Players can play themselves into form or out of form. Some debutant players in either this squad or the All Black side may not workout, who knows?

[Tim]

I assume that for many of last year's AB XV players they had seen what they needed to, and this year are looking at some additional players. Others are there to get game time, or to keep them motivated.

[SBW1]

No Billy Harmon.

[Winger]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:

No Billy Harmon.

?

[Stargazer]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:

No Billy Harmon.

Literally the first loosie on the list:

Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon (28, Highlanders, Canterbury)

[Mr Fish]

@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:

Interesting that means Leon doesn't have much to do with the abs until half way through RC

Suspect he won't have much to do with the All Blacks until next year...

[gt12]

How the fuck does Sowakula make that team? He’s going going gone but must be closer than Sotutu to going to the WC.

When Sotutu signs overseas, this will be why.

What a massive fuck you this non-selection is.

[nostrildamus]

@gt12 said in All Blacks XV:

How the fuck does Sowakula make that team? He’s going going gone but must be closer than Sotutu to going to the WC.

When Sotutu signs overseas, this will be why.

What a massive fuck you this non-selection is.

I prefer Sotutu. I can see why they might not rate him for the ABs this year but he just has so many skills (like distribution) I still think he'd blossom under the right coaching.

[Bones]

@gt12 Throughout most of the campaign he'd really shown he can tighten up his game and be effective too. Another puzzling selection when you can see he'd offer at least as much as Frizzel.

I'd actually have gone Frizzel or Robinson over Strange.